Barty retired from tennis last year.
Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Reuters
—
Retired Australian Open champion Ash Barty is returning to Melbourne Park for this year’s event to mentor local hope Olivia Gadecki, who received a wildcard for the season’s first Grand Slam.
Former world number one Barty called time on her career last March, shortly after ending her country’s 44-year wait for a home champion at the Australian Open.
Gadecki reflected that Barty has “always been there for me” when she is in need of advice.
Marks Evans/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
World number 202 Gadecki said at the United Cup in Sydney that Barty would be in her camp at Melbourne Park for the January 16-29 tournament.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball during the first quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
“I’ve been really fortunate to always be able to contact her if I have any questions or if I need advice, she has always been there for me,” Gadecki told the Australian Associated Press.
“The best part is she just treats me like a normal person and we can relate in that regard and off court is just as important as on court.”
The 20-year-old will begin her Australian Open preparations at next week’s Hobart International.
Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, you hear warnings about phishing emails, fake IRS…
There was a time when you could not turn on the TV without seeing Susan…
If you have applied for a loan online, you probably shared more than you realized.…
Humanoid robotics companies have already shown their machines can run at 22 mph, land backflips…
You trust your email security settings for a reason. So when an AI assistant quietly…
When you hear "brain-computer interface," you probably picture surgery, wires and a chip in your…